​While 72 countries ban employment discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, the US is not among them. Employees can be fired because of their sexual orientation in 28 states and transgender employees can be fired for their gender identity in 30 states. However, 92% of Fortune 500 companies’ non-discrimination policies protect LGB employees and 82% include gender identity. Additionally, 61% of those companies offer domestic partner health benefits and 50% offer transgender-inclusive benefits.

Growing American acceptance (63% of Americans in 2016, compared with 51% in 2006) could be one reason that more LGBT people are coming out – 10 million in 2016 or 4.1% of the population. Bisexuals are the largest segment of the community at 40%, followed by 36% gay men, 19% lesbians and 5% transgender. Just over a quarter of bisexuals are out to important people in their lives, compared to 77% of gay men and 71% of lesbians. Those aged 18 to 36 are most likely to identify as LGBT at 7.3%, whereas only 1.4% of those 71+ identify as LGBT. Whites are somewhat less likely to identify as LGBT than, in order, Hispanics, Blacks and Asians.

Logo TV released its 2017 Top 25 Trailblazing Companies for public commitment to LGBTQ people and issue advocacy. Google and Apple ranked #4 and #5 respectively. The analysis applies 7 criteria to companies that achieved a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign 2016 Corporate Equality Index. Both tech firms got points for having an LGBT executive and inclusive advertising. Google also scored for social media and Apple for having an LGBTQ spokesperson.

The National Center for Transgender Equality released its national survey, finding that, of those who have jobs, 30% say they were fired, denied promotion, or experienced mistreatment (verbally harassed, or assaulted physically or sexually) at work in the last year. Nationally, transgender people suffer significant psychological problems as a result of stigma and discrimination – 40% have attempted suicides in their lives, 9-times the national average. The survey also revealed that those supported by families experienced less psychological stress and fewer attempted suicide. Presumably, support at work could have similar results.